by Kate Evans Many states across the country are experiencing a summer surge of COVID-19, including Western states such as Texas and California and some Eastern states like Florida and North Carolina that are showing very high levels of the virus. Nationally, wastewater viral activity from COVID is very high[Read More…]
Health
Hot car temps pose seasonal risk to kids, loved ones and pets
by Kate Evans In this season’s persistent high temperatures, people are urged to take extra steps to prevent a hot car death tragedy involving their children, loved ones and pets. Nationwide, seven children have died so far this year from being trapped or left inside a hot vehicle, according to[Read More…]
Blood drive in Hagerstown set for July 16
The Washington County Public Safety Training Center will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross on Tuesday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Blood donations play a vital role in emergency situations, surgeries, cancer treatments, and other medical procedures. By donating blood, you become a real-life[Read More…]
State health agency to hold public listening sessions on health department improvements
Maryland’ s Commission on Public Health will hold a public listening session for western Maryland on Thursday, May 23 from 5-6 p.m. in the Washington County Health Department’ s Behavioral Health Services Building at 925 N. Burhans Blvd. Members of the public are invited to attend the listening session in[Read More…]
Health Department provides county its first Narcan vending machines
New vending machines offering free doses of naloxone (Narcan) -the medication to reverse opioid overdoses- alongside other public health and wellness resources have been placed at three area locations with funds from a grant through the Washington County Health Department. The “Overdose Data-to-Action” grant through the Maryland Department of Health[Read More…]
The heart is the engine that keeps your body running
by Kate Evans The heart is a vital organ that keeps our bodies healthy and functioning well. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States today for both men and women, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources Office of Disease Prevention and[Read More…]
County Health Department joins downtown partnerships to provide essential care services
The Washington County Health Department recently joined several downtown partnerships to expand essential health care services primarily in Hagerstown. Every second Tuesday each month, teams from the health department will offer HIV, Hep C and syphilis education and testing at the Community Care Network of Washington County’s event from 4-7[Read More…]
Vaping & e-cigarettes not a “safe alternative” – highly addictive, dangerous for youth
by Kate Evans The use of e-cigarettes or vapes by high school students has grown substantially in the past five years as have health officials’ concerns about teen vaping. E-cigarettes or vapes usually contain nicotine from tobacco, along with flavorings and other additives. They can also deliver cannabis or other[Read More…]
Give the gift of health this Valentine’s Day
by Kate Evans Tired of buying the same Valentine’s Day gifts for your special someone? Maybe you could give them the gift of true love by giving them the gift of health, said Stacy Schultz, War Memorial Health registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. People spend a couple hundred dollars[Read More…]
Meritus Health opens new primary care center in Hancock
by Geoff Fox Hancock area residents won’t have to travel as far to get primary health care from Meritus Health as the health system has opened a new primary care center on Pennsylvania Avenue beside Food Lion and Family Dollar. The location was formerly a Valley Health medical location. The[Read More…]
